Electric-circuit controller



June 24, 1930. J. J. FLANAGAN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLER Filed' sept. 21, 1927 Patented June 24, 1930 UNiran stares PATENT oFFici:

JAMES J. FLANAGAN, OF LOUISVILLE, KENT'CKY, ASSIGNOR TO THE LOUISVILLE ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, A CORPORA- TION OF KENTUCKY ELECTRIC-Gramm confrnonnnn Application filed September .21., 1927. Serial No. 221,089.

The present invention relates to circuit closer operating means, particularlyintended for manually controlled electrically driven tools, such as drills and the like. The object is to provide a simple, compact and novel operating means of an eEective chai-- acter, in which the operation of the circuit closer is initiated by the operator and is automatically completed to secure a quick make and break.

The preferred embodiment of the' invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: v l

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tool handle and circuit closer, in the former of which the operating mechanism for said circuit closer is mounted.

FigureA 2 is a view partially in section and partially in elevation of the handle and circuit closer, showing the operating mecha nisin,

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view on Ythe line 3-3 of Figure 2, Y

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of the mounting plate,

Figure 5 isa detail perspective View of the actuating yoke. l

' It will be understood that the electrically driven tool may be of any desired character, and the handle thereof is only shown and is Vdesignated generally by the reference numerl 6. The grip 7 of said handle is hollow and is provided with a removable side 8.

lThe circuit closer is shown at 9, and asldisclosed, consists of a pair of spring contact elements 10, between which operates a reciprocatory plug, comprising a terminal insulating member 11 and a contact member 12. Obviously when the plug is moved in one direction, namely, to the right, the insulating element 11 only will be between the contactsprings 10, and the circuit will be open. When the plug is moved in the opposite direction, the metal Contact Velement12 moves to a position between and engages the springs 10, thus making an electrical' contact between them. Y l l Located in the handle 7 is amounting .plate 13 having at one end an ear 14, on

projects beyond the inner side of the grip 7 so that it will be engaged by the index linger of the operator holding the tool. One side of the projecting portion is broadened to provide ra bearing flange 16. The trigger has an inwardly extending crank arm 17 that lies alongside the mounting plate 13.

-On the opposite end of the mounting plate 13 is anactuated member 18, pivoted to said plate, as shown at 19, and having connected to its depending end a rod or link 20 that is slidably engaged in a bearing plate 21V and carries the circuit closing element 11-12. The actuated member 18 is furthermore provided on opposite sides of its pivot axis with oppositely outstanding hooks or abutment lugs 22. An actuating member, comprising a yoke 23, has a stem 24k pivotally connected at 25 to the inner end of the arm 17 of the trigger, and this yoke comprises spaced arms 26 that embrace the pivoted end of the act-uating member 18, said arms being slidable in guideways 27 formed by upturning spaced end portions of the mounting plate 13. These yoke arms 26 have inwardly extending lugs or hooks 28 that are adapted to alternately engage respectively the outstanding hooks or lugs 22 of the actuated element.

The head of the yoke 23 is provided with an opening 29, and the actuated element is provided at one side and below its axis of rotation with an opening 30 that is adapted to' vswing to positions on opposite sides of a vertical plane passing through the pivot axis of said actuated member. A coiled spring 31 inV the form of a ring or loop is passed l through the openings 29 and 30, and serves to draw the yoke toward the actuated member.

The operation of the device, it is believed,

can now be made clear. With the parts in y has swung past the vertical plane in which thepivot axis of said member is located.

When this has occurred, the spring which has been stretched in the initial movement reacts and causes the member 18 to continue its movement at an accelerated rate, thus quickly withdrawing the contact element 12 from between the springs and breaking the circuit. This spring 31 during movement further causes the yoke to swing to the r'vht, so that the right-hand hook 28 will be isengaged from the hook 22, while the left-hand hook 28 will be brought to a position beneath the left-hand hook 22. A second pressure therefore on the trigger causes the reveise movement to take place in the same manner as above described, thereby closing the circuit.

That a simple effective device is thus produced it is believed will be obvious, the parts not only being of a simple character per se, but their associ-ation being such that there is little chance of them becomingr deranged. The spring 31, it will be noted, performs three distinct functions. It operates to draw the yoke longitudinally and thus return the trigger outwardly to its operative position; it causes a quick action on the part of the circuit controller, both in opening and closing, and it, as above explained, also causes a swinging movement of the yoke that insures the proper hooks being in cooperative position for each operation.

l'rom the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and lnany advantages of the herein described invention will be a parent to those skilled in the art, without urther description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

What I claim, is:

1. In an electric circuit controller, the combination with a pivoted actuated member having abutment elements on opposite sides of its pivot axis, of a reciprocatory actuating member movable longitudinally of the actuated member and having spaced elements that respectively and alternately engage the abutments to swing the actuated member in opposite directions.

2. In an electric circuit controller, the combination with a pivoted actuated member having abutment elements on opposite sides of its pivot axis, of a reci rocatory actuating member movable longitu ally of the actuated member and having spaced elements that respectively and alternately engage the abutments to initially swing the actuated member in opposite directions, and spring means for completing the swinging movements of the actuated member.

3. In an electric circuit controller, the

`combination with a pivoted actuated member having abutment elements on opposite sides of its pivot axis, of a reciprocatory actuating member movable longitudinally of the actuated member and having spaced elements that respectively and alternately engage the abutments to initially swing the actuated member in opposite directions, and a spring connected to the actuated member and swinging therewith past the axis of movement thereof, for completing the swinging movement of the actuated member in both directions.

4. In an electric circuit controller, the combination with a pivoted actuated member having abutment elements on opposite sides of its pivot axis, of a reciprocatory actuating member having s ced elements that respectively and alternate engage the abutments to initially swing tlie actuated member in opposite directions, and a spring connected to the actuated member and to the actuatin member for eiecting the movement of oth.

5. In an electric circuit controller, the combination with a pivoted actuated member having oppositely outstandiig hooks, of a pivoted trigger, a yoke pivote to the trigger and having spaced hooks that alternately and respectively engage the hooks of the actuated member, and a spring connecting the yoke and actuated member.

6. In an electric circuit controller, the combination with an actuated member having a predetermined path of movement, of an actuatin member having a path of movement in a iflerent direction thereto, and a spring connectin the members and eiecting the movement o? both.

7. In an electric circuit controller, the combination with an actuated member having a back and forth movement in a predetermined path, of an actuating member having a back and forth movement in a different direction, a connection between the members for effecting an initial movement of the first member on the movement of the second in one direction, and a spring for completing the movement of the first member and moving the second member in a reverse direction to its initial movement.

8. In an electric circuit controller, the combination with a pivoted actuated member, of a reciprocatorg actuating member, operating connections etween the members for causing the opposite swinging movements of the pivoted member on the reciprocatory movements of the actuatin member, and a spring connection between t e members that swings with one and reciprocates with the other.

9. In an electric circuit controller, the combination with a pivoted actuated member, ef a reciprocatory actuating member having a swingmg movement, operating connections between the members thatalternately engage and disengage and cause the opposite swinging movements of the pivoted member on the reciprocatory movements of the actuating member, and a spring connection between the members that assists in the swinging operation of the actuated member and causes the swinging of the reciprocatory member to engage and disengage the operating connections.

l0. In an electric circuit controller, the combination with a pivoted actuated member having outstanding hooks, of a trigger, a yoke pivoted to the trigger and embracing the actuated member, said yoke having hooks that alternately engage and disengage the hooks of the actuated member, and a spring having a connection with the actuated member at one side of its pivot axis and swinging to opposite sides of the same, said spring being connected to the yoke and swinging it.

ll. In an electric circuit controller, the combination with a pivoted actuated member having out-standing hooks and an opening that moves to opposite sides of the pivot axis, of a trigger, a yoke pivoted to the trigger and embracing the actuated member, said yoke having hooks that alternately engage and disengage the hooks of the actuated member and being provided with an opening, and a coiled spring looped through the openings of the yoke and actuated member.

l2. In an electric circuit controller, the combination with a. mounting plate having spaced guides at one end, of a trigger pivoted on the plate and having a crank arm, an actuated arm pivoted on the plate and having oppositely outstanding abutments, a yoke pivoted to the arm of the trigger and having spaced arms embracing the actuated member and slidably engaged in the guideways, said yoke arms having inset lugs that alternately and respectively engage the abutments of the actuated member, and an extensible spring connected to the yoke and to the actuated member to carry the yoke toward the member and cause both to swing in opposite directions.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature.

JAMES J. FLANAGAN. 

